In February 2021 I had made a video about the things I hated about my Kia Niro EV. Since I have now owned my EV6 GT-Line Pack 2 for two and a half years and over 88,000km of driving, it’s time to list the things I don’t like about it. Some of the things I hate are EV6 specific, but there are things that apply to other vehicles. FYI, I still love my car and would not trade it for anything. Don’t forget there are bloopers at the end of every video we make . We hope you enjoy it.
Excellent video, Andre, as always. After years of owners' complaints, why can't Kia/Hyundai get their act together on the charging of 12-Volt batteries? BMW and MINI owners can use the wonderful Bimmercode phone app to reprogram many things in our cars. It's too bad there's no equivalent of Bimmercode for Kia cars so you could reprogram many of the things you don't like. Unfortunately, Bimmercode can't convert touch panels into actual buttons and switches or magically light up a charging port (or I'd use it to dispel the darkness in the port of my MINI EV).
Finally got to view your vid, and good job again, as always. And as you mention these are minor niggles which don't take away from your love of the car overall. But I don't agree with some of them, or maybe my Ioniq 6 is different. First the regen and use of I-Pedal. I like mine just as it is. I use level 3 regen and auto regen, and don't want the car to come to a full stop unless it is on cruise control. I step on the brake for a full stop, and release it to creep forward, to make it work same as my previous ICE cars. The only time I use the paddles is to reduce regen in slippery conditions. If it is really bad like in ice and snow, I put it in Snow mode which then also reduces regen. With the shiny black I don't seem to have that issue and have been through two winters with my Solterra (also has the shiny black trim) and one winter with my Ioniq 6. I do have a ceramic paint coat on my Solterra, and a graphine finish on my Ioniq 6 so maybe that helps. I have never had an issue with my 12V on the Ioniq 6. I see the yellow charge light on the top dash come on regularly, pretty well ever day, and I also have a BM2 which shows it being frequently charged and kept full. I have had 2 ICCU updates, if they made any difference. On my Solterra, when I first got it, the 12V kept discharging, but Subaru replaced it and no problems since. I do miss wireless Android Auto on my Ioniq 6 (have it on the Solterra), but have found the onboard mapping to be fine for my use. I do occasionally plug in my phone to use Spotify and there is a convenient wireless charge space in front partly under the dash, so no issue with that. And no problem with my rain sensing wipers. They work well exactly as I would expect. And are used often as I live in Vancouver. I use the sensitivity rotating knob on the stalk one position below max. My Solterra auto wipers work well, too. The one big thing I do miss is a digital rear view mirror. I have that on my Solterra and comes in very handy when the rear window is frosted or covered with frozen snow. No need to clear, just drive off and flick the digital mirror switch and let the defrost eventually clear the window. It also has a washer on the cameras back there, so no dirt and grime collects there when on mushy wet salted roads. That's about it. Will look for your next one, always worth a watch.
The Solterra has some things that should be standard on all cars today, like the rear camera washer. My EV6 makes me miss the CamWipe I had installed on my Niro EV. The digital backup camera would be a nice thing to have as well. I liked it when I reviewed the EV9, but it does take getting used to. Regarding the wireless charger, they make the phone heat up badly and I disabled it in my car. I have tested several EVs and the wireless charge pad makes the phone get way too hot, which will degrade the phone's battery. It is not an issue caused by the EVs, it is inherent in the wireless charging technology, so I tend to avoid it even though it is very convenient. Thanks for watching, I appreciate it.
I should clarify, the digital rear view camera on the Solterra is not the same as the back-up camera. It is a 2nd camera back there beside the other one. The view in the rear view mirror is exactly the same as the optical one, except a little brighter. Just takes the flip of the toggle like switch on the rear view mirror to activate. I like it and works very well. And yes, the washer is a great thing and cleans both of them. And I agree all cars should have it. I will have to check my wireless charger on the Ioniq 6. I was not aware that it overheated my phone. I place it there pretty well every time I drive and take my phone.